Samuel leaned in. "I see. But what is up there?"
"You already know gold was discovered in the Turnagain Arm area. When I was a very young man, I trapped in the Cook Inlet locale. There is more than fur in this portion of Alaska. There are also several small settlements along the inlet. This area is going to boom. Perhaps not in ten, or even fifteen years, I fear that will be put off by what I believe, is to be a very nasty down turn in our economy shortly."
Samuel moved his finger "This is the area Captain Cook named Turnagain. I understand it has a bore tide to rival the Bay of Fundy."
Dmitri tapped on the chart. "It does and one does not want to be caught in it. Further there is no beach; either sand or shingle, it is all silt. Anyone walking out on the flats before the tide comes in risks being sucked into the silt and drowned."
Samuel shook his head. "That is not a vessel friendly place."
"True." Dmitri nodded in agreement. "But Cook Inlet is. As I recall, near the head of the inlet there is a fairly large creek, which empties into the ocean, it is a prime spot for a city. This will be a good investment. It will not pay off immediately, but so many of the best investments are for the long term. Our children will applaud our foresight."
"So if you leave the island, where would you go?"
Dmitri straightened up from the chart they had spread out. "Much as I do not care for the place, Juneau for the time being, until the interior opens up more."
He shrugged. "I think Seattle is too big for me at this point. Juneau is just beginning its assent."
Samuel again lit his cigar, which had gone out. "You could go anywhere in the world. London, Paris, New York, anywhere, Dmitri."
"Honestly? No, I do not think I could live in any of those places." Dmitri used Samuel's cigar to light his.
"Yes, I have been to them all. One can insulate themselves from the poverty and misery of the big cities, but it is still there. Then, there is the lack of anything remotely like the forests of Alaska. And there is lastly, Dmitri Bressoff. Do you really think I have the temperament to live in any of those places?"
Samuel laughed as he thought about Dmitri and his lack of patience with foolishness. He thought of having to send out two big burly sailors to collect Dmitri and Stanislaus in Seattle.
"I take your meaning. No. You are a pioneer and do not take easily to being shut in by the buildings, or the rules made by those in authority. I know you can function for a while, you wear your Count Bressoff disguise well, but you are never comfortable in that garb for long."
With a grin, Dmitri slapped Samuel on the back. "Correct! I am just a trapper and a hunter, one who learned how to trap and hunt really big game."
Dmitri laughed. "I trap deals, I hunt situations that will lead to deals that lead to money. It is all quite simple."
Leontine and Camille came into the study where they found the two men laughing.
"Gentlemen?" Leontine inquired. "Care to share the joke?"
Samuel pointed his cigar at Dmitri, then laughed again. "This man is just a backwoods hunter, just an old fur trader."
Camille walked over to Dmitri. She put her arm around his waist. "No, he is an Alaskan that is what he is. They are different and this one is mine." She reached up to kiss his cheek.
Camille packed Anya's things in a different trunk. Her objective was to save Dmitri the emotional strain of having to do so, or of having to view the old one. Truly, she would be glad to see their island home again. It was unfortunate she had to leave Leontine, Samuel and Jean behind. But they would be together in the summer. Spending time together in Sitka would be good.
The next day Camille, Dmitri, Ilyia and the two children made their way to the dock. The goodbyes were tearful, as Camille had anticipated. Dmitri held her hand while Camille waved a last good bye to the couple on the dock. A short stay in Seattle was planned, supposedly no more than two days, in order to take on cargo bound northward. Then Sitka and after that, home.
Stanislaus met the family at the Seattle dock. He had booked them into a hotel. Their luggage stayed on board the ship. Three small carpet bags contained what would be needed for their short stay in the city. Stanislaus took the family to his small home for dinner.
"It is a cozy little place!" Camille exclaimed when they drove up in the hired buggy.
"It is. But, I did not buy it for the house itself." He flicked the reins, moving the horses past the clapboard house to where the hillside fell away. Before them lay the docks and the expanse of water beyond.
Camille sighed. "What a perfect place for a home! The view is so grand!"
"Someday I will build a house here." Stanislaus stared out at the vista set out before him. Eventually.
Dmitri caught the melancholy tone. He broke into the younger man's dark thoughts. "Is there any land for sale further up?"
Stanislaus thought for a moment. "I have not looked into it. Shall I?"
"I would like you to do so." Dimitri replied.
"I am looking for two parcels. Samuel is thinking of moving to Seattle. He wishes to slow down. I will discuss this with you at the office tomorrow."
"I will look into the possibilities. I think there is bound to be more good land here. Come, I have a most excellent meal ready for you all. We have not have a good visit in a long time."
Stanislaus set a good table and his visitors enjoyed the meal. He shared the fruits of his garden with them. Fresh venison was a welcome treat for the family. Stanislaus had made a point of going hunting before they arrived.
Everyone got into the buggy and the young man drove back down the hill to the hotel. After making sure the family was settled into their rooms at the hotel, he returned the buggy to the livery. Stanislaus reclaimed his horse and went home to bed.
As he lay listening to the sound of the wind in the trees, Stanislaus wondered why Dmitri wanted two parcels of land. It was doubtful Dmitri wanted to live in Seattle. Perhaps he was investing in Seattle's future.
He also knew there was more on Dmitri's mind. Over the years he had developed almost a sixth sense regarding Count Bressoff. He grinned for a moment in the dark, like hunting, he knew his subject very well. There was something Dmitri did not wish to discuss in front of either the children, Ilyia, or even Camille. Perhaps, he wanted to keep it from all three of them. Tomorrow would be arriving soon enough. Stanislaus turned over and went to sleep.
As usual, it was rainy and gray in Seattle when Dmitri and Stanislaus met at the office. They went into the library. Dmitri asked the clerk to make sure they would not be disturbed until Madame Bressoff arrived.
"Camille had a bit of a headache, but assured me she would be here shortly." Dmitri placed his hat on the large table and kicked back in his chair.
"How is our diversification plan going?" Dmitri asked. "I have heard several rumors from back east I do not like the sound of."
"It is going well. I have also arranged to take some of the profits from the partnership with Devins and branch out there as well,"
Stanislaus rose and walked over to the door. "Would you care for some coffee? I feel the need, personally."
"Certainly." Dmitri pulled out his watch then flipped it open. "Let us give Camille a few more minutes."
Stanislaus asked his assistant to fetch coffee for himself and Dmitri. Shortly after the arrival of the coffee, Camille entered the library. She was a bit breathless from having hurried up the stairs from the cab.
"Stanislaus, might I have a glass of water?" Camille asked as she removed her bonnet.
"Certainly. A moment."
He was gone only a few moments when he returned with a tall tumbler of water for her.
"What do you wish to begin with cher?" She asked Dmitri after taking a sip of water.
"The land I think." Dmitri turned to Stanislaus.
"We need a very nice parcel for the Devins family. You will need to meet with them once the land is purchased. I wish you to find a good contractor, one who can work independently. I would appreciate
it, if you would oversee the actual construction. The family will be visiting with us in Sitka while their home is being constructed.'
Dmitri drank some of the coffee. "Another parcel, close to the Devins'es would suit my purposes. I do not intend to build on it immediately. Perhaps never. I want a prime piece, nonetheless."
"Understood. What use is a parcel that is inferior? If held for an investment, view land can always be sold at a profit unless Seattle becomes a ghost town. I feel the possibility of that is unlikely."
"We are agreed." Dmitri turned to Camille. "We were discussing the matter of diversification. Stanislaus tells me it is going well. He has also taken steps with regard to our partnership with Samuel, so as to not have all the profits in one place."
"Good." Camille took another sip from her glass. "I have heard a rumor of a thing called a "washing machine". One can actually get clothing clean without all the boiling, scrubbing and so forth. If I was able to buy such a thing, I would get one immediately."
Dmitri and Stanislaus smiled at her.
"And where did you hear of this marvel?" Bressoff asked.
"From a lady friend of Leontine's. Her sister heard a man actually built one for his wife."
"Stanislaus, I think we should inquire into that. Perhaps have Samuel get Leontine to see what she can find out. Such a household item might be a good candidate for a bit of diversification."
"Now, we come to the personal item. Keetering has disappeared from San Francisco. If his family have any idea where he might have gone, they are not telling anyone. Please see what you can find out about this matter. I understand he was involved with rescuing young Chinese girls and taking them to the Mission in San Francisco."
Dmitri shook his head. "It may be the boy has gone from the frying pan into the fire."
"Personally I do not mind if he does fry." Stanislaus left his chair so quickly it nearly tumbled over backward. He moved to stand in front of a window, hands in his pockets.
"I quite understand how you feel." Camille rose and walked over to where the young man stood, feet apart, staring into space.
Grasping his arm, she turned him to face her. "We need information from him. You did not see the inside of the valise. Something is not right here and we cannot find out anything. If we cannot locate him, to ask some very important questions, there is no way to proceed."
Dmitri was quiet. Camille was getting more cooperation than he probably would have. Stanislaus turned his head away and looked out the window again.
"Cher." Camille shook his arm. "Leave judgment alone! You have never failed me. I do not expect you to do so now."
He sighed. "No, Madame. I will do everything in my power to find him."
Stanislaus glanced over at Dmitri. "You, the both of you, always seem to push me beyond what I think I can do. And in the end, I find I can accomplish more than I believed possible."
With a smile Dmitri rose from the table and strode over to Stanislaus. Giving the younger man a quick hug, Dmitri released him.
"For example, taking charge of our little empire. You have done well. I know you will continue to do an excellent job. I have put a great deal of responsibility on you Stanislaus. I knew you were up to it, when I did so."
The following day Dmitri, Camille, Ilyia and the children left Seattle for Sitka. There the Arctic Tern waited and then, home.
Anya could feel the change of seasons beginning to stir. The ice cold grip of winter was slowly releasing its hold on Yakutsk. The temperatures no longer dropped quite as far during the night and the sun was up for longer periods of time during the day. And, there was heat in the sunlight.
Losif took his oldest son, Kole and Petyr to round up the herd of reindeer he intended to take to Okhotsk. They were gone two days. During that time it was expected Anya and Bell would supervise getting the supplies together for the trail. Food for the animals was also a concern. One reindeer would pull a sledge with the necessary items. A small emergency pack was set out which would be secured to another animal. It was best to have other resources if the sledge should be lost.
Anya determined she would carry her own bedding and hunting equipment. She would feel more assured of getting to Okhotsk that way. Making a separate pack of bedding for Petyr, Anya felt better able to care for themselves, if necessary. It was unlikely the balance of the trip would be any easier than the trip down the Lena had been. She had listened closely to Losif's tales of the trail to Okhotsk. The old herder did not 1exaggerate, it would be dangerous.
Riding a reindeer would be a challenge. Bell warned her, keeping one's balance was not as easy as with riding a horse. As Anya had experience riding a horse, she felt she had a better understanding of the matter than Petyr. He had never ridden any animal, horse or reindeer. Hopefully, Losif would be giving him some preliminary experience as they gathered the herd.
Losif returned with Kole and Petyr on the day they were expected. They corralled the animals shortly before the sun went down. Petyr was looking a bit bedraggled. Losif explained Petyr had indeed been getting riding lessons during the time they were gone. The glum look on Petyr's face told her, he had not done as well as he would have liked.
Neither Losif nor Kole made any comment about the boy's abilities. When Anya asked Petyr about his experience, he silently shook his head, unwilling to discuss it. As they ate, Losif informed the family they would be fattening the animals up for at least six days before leaving. The herd needed to be in top form. The old herder also needed to make sure all the animals he was traveling with, were sound.
Anya was impatient to be off, but bowed to Losif's knowledge of the mountain passes they must use to reach Okhotsk. He was the expert, she just wished to be on the move again.
Wondering how Petyr was feeling about leaving their snug resting place, Anya was reluctant to bring up the subject. She did not want to find he had changed his mind and would be content to stay with Losif's family. Anya refrained from asking.
Each day before sunrise, Losif went outside to look at the sky as he tested the snow. Each day his assessment was the same, it was not time yet.
They waited longer than the original six or seven days Losif had thought necessary. On the morning of the fifteenth day Anya followed Losif outside once again. He watched the sunrise. For the first time he nodded. The Yakuti herder scooped up a handful of snow which he clenched in his fist, compacting it.
The old man turned to Anya with a smile. "It is time girl. I know you have been more than ready these last few days."
He pointed to the east where the sun was just starting to come over the mountaintops. "Now the time is right. We must hurry, there are very few days in which to traverse the mountains at this time of year. . Too soon and we would bog down in the passes, too late and the snow will be melting. The water backs up behind ice dams. When the streams break free there are great floods. Those, we do not wish to be caught in."
Losif strode purposefully back into the house, shouting. "Rise! Rise! We must be on our way today."
A quick cup of tea, a bit of dried fish and they were all outside again. The sledge was loaded, the animals belled, those to be ridden were saddled. In a very short time, Losif had his herd and reindeer herders on the move. Losif, Anya, Petyr and Stesha, Losif's younger son made up the team of herders. In a very short time they were trotting away to the east, up the Okhotsk trail.
Keeping a seat on a reindeer was not an easy matter. One could roll off to either side. A rider could be dumped off over its head as well. It took Anya most of the day to find her seat on the animal. Losif set a lively pace at the start, which he did not ease.
They were far into the mountains as they neared days end. Several streams, having small trickles of water, were forded. Shortly before the light faded, they reached the destination Losif insisted they arrive at, before stopping.
They were instructed to not bother with a fire. All the animals were hobbled and sent out to paw through the snow for whatever forage they could find. The herder
s grabbed a bit of dried fish for their dinner. All were asleep as soon as their heads touched the furs.
They continued to climb further into the mountains the following day. Anya saw the devastation the floods were capable of each time they forded one of the many empty stream beds which must be crossed.
The high-water marks on the walls of the ravines, almost caused the breath to catch in her throat. Losif had no problem keeping them moving. Everything she saw pointed to the dangers of the run off from melting snow. She watched Petyr shake his head as they climbed in and out of one particularly steep gully. The high-water mark was so far above their heads they had to crane their necks to see above it.
Losif drove them hard all day. The portion of the trail they were on was riddled with deeply gouged ravines, which made even the animals nervous.
When night fell, they stopped on a fairly level area. It was covered in several inches of snow, but had some dry scrub brush for a fire. Hot tea and a sort of soup made from dried meat and snow water was welcome. They had all worked hard to keep the animals moving. The herders were quite hungry and tired.
The belled reindeer were hobbled once again and left alone to graze. The herders fell asleep in their furs exhausted.
Sunrise saw them again on the move up toward the spine of the mountains. Anya was better able to keep her seat on the animal. She noticed Petyr was also managing to stay mounted without as much difficulty as previously.
Losif, seeing they were doing better, pushed both herd and riders harder. He used his long stick quite often on any reindeer attempting to stop and snatch a bit of brush along the trail. The old man yelled at Anya and Petyr to do the same.
Each day saw them further into the snow covered tundra. There was little fodder available. They had to provide food for the herd. Anya was amazed to see that along with a small portion of hay, the reindeer also received a ration of dried fish. The animals were quite happy with the addition to their diet and ate the fish first.
Daughter of the Raven Page 26
